Letters: Are unions truly serving needs?

The news that unions lost 400,000 members in 2012 shouldn't be a surprise to anyone except union officials ("Unions Suffer Sharp Decline in Membership," Jan. 23). Their mismanagement of the labor movement has harmed dues-paying members while benefitting themselves.

Labor leaders pushed for a strike at Hostess last year that killed 11,700 union jobs, created unfunded pension plans that are short by $369 billion, get caught with their hands in the union cookie jar treasury every week and spend billions on political campaigns while their members get laid off. Meanwhile, many of these same leaders make salaries that reach as high as $490,000.

If union officials want to stop shedding members, they should reflect on whether they're truly serving their needs.